OFFICIAL Card - Austria

Claudia writes to me saying she visits Vienna a few times a year. While she sent this great map of the subway system or U-Bahn as it is known, she prefers the trams when she is there. Great map card and beautiful stamps too.

Random Act of Smiliness - Sini from Finland

Another Postcrossing meet-up, another wonderful card from my Finnish friend Sini. I am lucky! When this card arrived I had just finished reading this book, the timing was amazing. The book itself was OK, my favourite parts being the communication amongst the characters using flowers and plants. Sini followed up with an email providing a translation of the various definitions. Another beautiful Finnish stamp and a very nice cancellation as well.

Kukkaiskieli - language of flowers

Kielo - Lily of the Valley

Olen jo kauvan sinua rakastanut - I have loved you for a long time.

Red Rose - My love is making me wretched.

White rose -I can't.

Thistle - I am dying of jealousy.

Bellis - I favour you.

Nettle - In vain

Pansy - Courage

Thorn - No

Hops - humulus lupulus - I wish I could embrace you

Gentian - Thank you

Jasmin - I don't love, but respect you

Platanthera - I miss being with you

Leave of a rose - Share

Juniper - Wait

Write your name under the plant, which correspond the feeling of the sender. 

Greetings from Bulgaria - Direct Swap with Donka

Slowly but surely the swaps I have arranged for the Greetings From cards are arriving. This one featuring Bulgaria came from a swap I arranged with Donka - thank you!

OFFICIAL Card - Belarus

It has been a long time since I have received a Fauna of Belarus card and this one is great! Anna from Minsk sent this card showing a Bluethroat. This looks like such a sweet little bird, some of the pictures I Googled, also a colourful little one!

OFFICIAL Card - Ukraine

When this card arrived it kind of left me scratching my head. I am honestly OK if someone chooses to type out the message on the card. I do not have the best handwriting so can appreciate typing makes it easier to read and you can say more. Over the years I have had different people mention in their typed notes that they have a shaky hand, a broken arm, whatever. This card though was a little bit different. The message is printed on the back - a one-liner wishing me the best - and the only thing written is my name, address and ID number. It was a fancy handwriting font with lots of white space. I have never seen anything so generic. When I look at their sent cards I see I am one of many who have received the exact same card. Doesn't even mention the view is of their home town, Zaporizhia, Ukraine. How do you feel about typed postcards?

OFFICIAL Card - Finland

This sweet little chick arrived just in time to celebrate Easter. Pekka lives in Turku, Finland and sounds like a busy guy between his work and hobbies!

Random Act of Smiliness - Alida from Canada

Another fun sheep card and pictorial cancellation from Alida. So glad there is no more snow!

OFFICIAL Card - Netherlands

Kitty lives outside of Amsterdam and sent this card showing sheep grazing. Love how the sheep dog is off to the side, on my first quick look I thought it was a panda!

Greetings from Hungary - Direct Swap with Edit

When the latest new additions to the Greetings From cards were announced I thought Hungary would be a hard country for me to swap with. I was pleasantly surprised that it was a bit easier than I originally thought. Russia and Barbados have proven a bigger challenge - one I thought for sure the other - who knew?!? Edit and I connected on Facebook and I am glad we did. I think I prefer the cards that are set on dark or night views the best - makes it easier to read for one!

Japan from JJ

My brother in law was over in Sapporo, Japan in March covering the World Curling Championships. He sent me this unique card showing the Sapporo TV Tower. The solid black sky background and the blue in the foreground are all "flat" and then all other parts of the print on the card are just slightly raised and textured. Don't know if my explanation makes sense but it is very cool!

Random Act of Smiliness - Alida from Canada

My dear Alida is sending me more wonderful pictorial cancellations! And more sheep! I have called around to a few post offices within a half hour drive and none of them have anything like these. Thank you my friend!

OFFICIAL Card - USA

Linda lives outside of the Detroit area and says she has traveled to the area I live in several times. She sent me this card by artist Thomas Kinkade, titled "Pathway to Paradise". I think this was my first US Christmas stamp from 2014 too. Love the wreath!

Lottery Win - Canada from Daphne

On a Facebook page that my friend Lynda belongs to Daphne held a lottery. Not too sure what was involved, however the prize was she was going to send a card from her vacation to someone you nominated. Lucky for me, Lynda nominated me and "we" won! Daphne sent me that great view card showing the Canadian UNESCO site of Jasper National Park. She writes Pyramid Mountain is a favourite spot to visit. I can see why! Thank you Lynda and Daphne.